Cap for tubes



Feb. 2, 1932.

E. L. HQRNSEY CAP FOR TUBES Filed May 16, 1930 da /M4 J a 4 a f/ wiirfla g Patented Feb. 2, 1932 UNITED STATES EDWARD L. HORNSEY, or nos'ron, nassacnus'ngg'rs- CAP FOR TUBES Application filed May 16,1930. Serial in. 452,887.

My present invention relates to novel and improved caps for tubes, such as collapsible tubes to hold tooth paste, shaving cream, cold cream, or other dispensible contents.

An important object of the present invention is the provision of a cap which is applicable to existing forms or types of tubes, without any structural change in said tubes.

Another object of the invention is the proin vision of means to retain said cap in either open or closed position.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of means, on-said cap, to engage the dispensing recess, to prevent the in- 5 adgertent discharge of the contents of the tu e.

Another feature-of the invention resides in the provision of a cap which is exceedingly simple of manufacture and construction, and

which is economical to build.

If desired, a tube could be manufactured with a neck portion adapted to receive my novel hinged cap.

Other features of the invention reside in the particular construction and arrangement of my novel cap and its cooperating elements.

The above and other features and objects of the invention, details of construction, and combinations of parts, will be hereinafter more fully pointed out, described, and claimed.

Referring to the drawings, illustrating a preferred embodiment of my invention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a collapsible tube towhich my novel cap has been a plied;

Fig. 2 is avertical sectional view il ustrating the cap in closed position; i

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view illustrating the cap in open position;

Fig. 4 is atop plan view illustrating the cap in closed position; I

Fig. '5 is a vertical sectional view at a right angle to Fig. 2;'

Fig. 6 is a erspective view of the swing; able or hinged cap; and

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 2, illustrating my novel cap applied to a tube with a specially prepared neck.

Referring now to the drawings, for a particular description of the invention, its construction, assembly and operation, 1 desi nates a collapsible tube having an external y threaded neck 2. My novel cap comprises an internally threaded sleeve 3 having an aperture 4 in line with the hollow interior 5 56 of. the neck 2. Formed on the sleeve 3 is a boss 6 having a cam portion 7, said boss being provided with a pivot pin 8.

The cap portion of my invention comprises a unitary member 9, preferably composed a. of spring metal, having apair of ears 10,- 10 adapted to span the boss 6, said ears being provided with apertures 11, 11 to receive the pivot pin 8.

The member 9 is folded, or bent under itself at 12, a slight bulge being provided at 12 to constitute a finger hold for manipulating the cap. That portion of the body 9 which is bent and continues under the member 9 constitutes a leaf spring 13, having a rounded portion 14 similar in shape to the top of the sleeve 3.

In the spring 13 is provided a projection 15, adapted, when the cap is in closed position, to seat in the aperture 4 of the sleeve 3, and preventing the extrusion of the contents of the tube 1.

When applying my device to a standard or conventional tube 1, the sleeve 3 is threaded on to the neck 2 of said tube, and the device is then in operative position. The top of the cam surface 7 is sufliciently above the top of the sleeve 3 so-that when the cap is in closed position, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, said cam will hold the leaf spring 13 under tension, forcing the projection 15 firmly into the recess 4 and preventing inadvertent discharge or extrusion of material from the tube- 1. When it is desired to dispense the contents of the tube, the bulge at the folded portion 12 of the cap is engaged by a finger or thumb and the cap is swung on the pivot pin 8, this swinging being against the tension of the spring 13 until the cap has passed the center point of the cam surface 7 Thereupon the action of the cam surface 7 against the spring 13 will hold the cap in opened position, leaving the entire top of the tube free for access by a tooth brush, shaving brush, or the like.

When closing the cap, after said cap has passed the center point of the cam surface 7, the action of said cam against the leaf spring 13 will snap the cap downwardly into closed position, seating the projection 15 in the aperture 4, and sealing the tube until it is again desired to dispense the contents thereof.

It will thus be seen that in this form of the invention my novel device comprises but three parts, that is, the sleeve 3, swingable cap 9,

and pivot pin 8. Thus my novel device is eX- tremely inexpensive, and is also simple and easy to manufacture and very simple to assemble and to apply to a tube.

If desired, I may provide a tube 16 having a neck 17 provided with an aperture 18, a boss 19 being formed integral with the neck 17 and having a pivot pin 20 therethrough to receive the ears 10 of my novel cap. The boss 19 is provided with a cam surface 21 similar to the cam 7, and the construction and operation of the swingable cap portion will otherwise be as above described.

I believe that the cap herein described is novel, and have, therefore, claimed the same broadly in the present application.

While I have necessarily describe-d my present invention somewhat in detail, it will be appreciated that I may vary the size, shape, and arrangement of parts within reasonably wide limits, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

My invention is further described and defined in the form of claims as follows:

1. The combination with a tube having a threaded end,-of a sleeve adapted to be threaded onto said end, said sleeve having a discharge orifice therein, a boss on' said sleeve, a pivot pin carried by said boss, a cap comprising a member, a pair of ears depending from said member and mounted on said pivot pin, a

pin, a leaf spring integral with said member and folded thereunder, a projection on said leaf spring adapted to seat in said orifice, a cam on said boss adapted to engage said leaf spring to hold said cap in closed or open position, that portion of said said cam which holds said cap in closed position being located above the top of said sleeve, and means on said cap to provide a finger hold.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

EDWARD L. HORNSEY.

leaf spring integral with said memberand folded thereunder, a projection on said leaf spring adapted to seat in said orifice, and a cam on said boss adapted to engage said leaf spring to hold said cap in closed or open position, that portion of said cam which holds said cap in closed position being located above the top of said sleeve.

2. The combination with a tube having a threaded end, of: a sleeve adapted to be threaded onto said end, said sleeve having a discharge orifice therein, a boss on said sleeve,

a pivot pin carried by said boss, a cap com-- prising a member, a pair of cars depending from said member and mounted on said pivot 

